Dr. Loh Kar Hoe (K.-H. L.) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya. He graduated with a B.Sc. majoring in aquaculture before pursuing his research in fish reproductive for his M.Sc. in NTOU, Taiwan. He obtained his Ph.D. in Fisheries Science from the NTOU in 2009 for doctoral work on taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of moray eels (Mureanidae). After his Ph.D., he spent one year at the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan as a postdoctoral researcher. He joined IOES July 2011 as a research fellow. He’s team have discovery eight new species eels (Gymnothorax pseudokidako 2021, Gymnothorax pseudomelanosomatus 2015, Neenchelys gracilis 2015, Pylorobranchus hoi 2012, Gymnothorax melanosomatus 2011, Uropterygius oligospondylus 2008, Gymnothorax taiwanensis 2008, Gymnothorax shaoi 2007), and a lot of new recorded fishes from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Taiwan. In addition to studying Malaysian fish otoliths, he is also working on the fisheries assessment work on sharks and rays. A total of 47 ISI articles have been published, and 26 technical reports of the IUCN Sciaenidae Red List assessments in 2020. He has collaborative research on the genetic diversity, population genetics of marine organisms; Reef fish diversity and abundance in Malaysian water through DNA barcoding and eDNA in Malaysia. Another study focuses on microplastics in the gill and stomach of fish. He recently secured a research grant to “Resolving systematics of Cephalopods using morphological and molecular approaches in Malaysia”, and “Environment DNA matebarcoding illuminates the diversity of sharks and rays” funded by WWF-Malaysia.

Dr. Karshini has a deep passion for diagnostic microbiology and parasitology. After earning her Master’s in Pathology (Microbiology) in 2022, she gained experience as a medical microbiologist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Queen Elizabeth in Kota Kinabalu. Her interests focus on diagnostic tools and technologies that can identify pathogens causing parasitic illnesses in laboratories. In December 2023, she joined the Department of Parasitology, University Malaya.  Currently, Dr. Karshini is a medical lecturer in the Department of Parasitology at the University of Malaya and the coordinator of the Parasitology Diagnostic Unit at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

Dr. Siti Idayu Hasan is a Senior Lecturer in the Family Health Discipline at the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. After completing her PhD, she embarked on a significant journey as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UMCAS, collaborating with the International Tobacco Control project team in Canada. Her work focused on measuring the psychosocial and behavioral impact of key national-level policies under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). She is a Fellow of Hong Kong WHO Collaborating Centre (Tobacco Control) and Committee Member of Scientific Research Tobacco Working Group (WHO FCTC Malaysia). Continuing her career, Dr. Siti Idayu became the Impact Project Manager at UMCares. In this role, she led the development and management of frameworks to monitor, evaluate, and enhance the effectiveness of community-oriented projects. Her efforts have been pivotal in ensuring that these initiatives bring about meaningful and sustainable improvements in society. Dr. Siti Idayu’s current research themes include tobacco control, mental health, and impact evaluation. Her work in tobacco control encompasses projects like Smoking Cessation, Organizing, Planning, and Execution (SCOPE), Generational Endgame (GEG), and the International Tobacco Control (ITC) project. She is also deeply involved in mental health research, aiming to address and mitigate mental health issues within the community. Beyond her research, Dr. Siti Idayu consults in the expanding field of public health, with a particular focus on tobacco control and mental health. She enjoys engaging with the community through health promotion activities, such as the Generational Endgame initiative, conducted in various settings (i.e. workplace, school and public) to raise awareness and drive positive behavioral change. Dr. Siti Idayu's commitment to improving public health is unwavering. Her work is not just about research and academia; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities. She believes that through collaborative efforts and a deep-seated commitment to health promotion, we can create a healthier, more resilient future for everyone. Her journey inspires others to join in the mission of bettering our communities and making impactful contributions to public health.